Rangers and Celtic clash over Old Firm derby ticket row in 2026

Rangers has asked the SPFL to intervene after Celtic refused to share tickets unless a Rangers ultras group is banned for the Old Firm derby.

Dispute over ticket allocation Rangers has formally requested the Scottish Professional Football League to intervene after Celtic declined to allocate any tickets to their supporters for the final Old Firm derby of the season unless the Ibrox club agrees to ban the Union Bears ultras group. A sub-committee of the SPFL board is scheduled to meet next week to reach a decision before the fixture on Sunday, 10 May. The conflict stems from unrest following a Scottish Cup quarter-final on 8 March, where fans from both teams invaded the pitch after Celtic secured victory in a penalty shootout at Ibrox. An investigation led by sports event consultant Mark Blackbourne, commissioned by the Scottish FA, is still pending submission to the governing body. ## Celtic's safety demands Celtic has stated that they are prepared to provide the standard ticket allocation to Rangers for the upcoming match, but only on the condition that tickets are not distributed to a specific section of supporters. The club emphasized that their primary concern is the safety of everyone attending Celtic Park, citing a thorough risk assessment conducted for the fixture. They argued that recent incidents involving serious violence and disorder by a segment of Rangers supporters against Celtic fans, staff, police, and stewards justify their request. Celtic expressed disappointment that Rangers has not accepted this condition and remains open to further discussions with the SPFL and Rangers regarding the matter. ## Rangers' stance and concerns Rangers responded by firmly rejecting Celtic’s conditions, stating that they have referred the issue to the SPFL board. The club asserted that they have already condemned the actions of certain individuals involved in the 8 March disturbances and are actively working to ensure security at the match. Rangers highlighted the potential sporting imbalance and precedent-setting consequences if away supporters are excluded from one of the season’s most pivotal fixtures. They stressed that this game presents an opportunity for Scottish football to demonstrate constructive handling of recent events and restore confidence in managing high-risk matches. ## SPFL to decide next week The SPFL board’s sub-committee will convene in the coming days to deliberate on the dispute before the derby on 10 May. Rangers has urged the board to uphold the competition’s integrity by enforcing existing rules and ensuring the mutual agreement between both clubs is honored. Celtic, meanwhile, maintains their position that their safety-driven request is reasonable and necessary given the identified risks. The clubs’ positions remain at an impasse, leaving the SPFL’s decision pivotal in determining whether the match proceeds with or without Rangers supporters. ## Title race implications The upcoming Old Firm derby carries significant weight as it may influence the outcome of a three-way title race involving league leaders Heart of Midlothian and the two Glasgow rivals. With the championship hanging in the balance, the resolution of this ticketing dispute could impact fan attendance and the competitive balance of the match. Both clubs are acutely aware of the stakes, as the result may shape the final standings by the end of the weekend. The decision on supporter access will also be closely watched by football authorities and fans alike, given its potential long-term effects on fixture management.